Cambridge Building Society staff and a group of local young people benefiting from the Society's funding, today shook hands at a presentation held at the Society's Head Office on Newmarket Road.

The event marked the second year of a bursary the Society has allocated to Outward Bound Patron's Company, a London-based charity which provides financial support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to enable them to participate in an Outward Bound course.

Since receiving last year's donation of £13,000, raised by the Society through its annual Tour de Branch charity cycle ride, the Trust has been able to work with Cambridge youth groups for the first time, and has already delivered their courses to local young people through Romsey Mill and The Red Balloon Learner Centre.

Romsey Mill has been carrying out their 'Social Inclusion Project' with a group of young people aged between 13 and 20, enabling them to develop their practical and social skills and aspire beyond their current circumstances.

Students from Red Balloon Learner Centre have also been attending Outward Bound courses. The Red Balloon Learner Centre was set up specifically to help bullied children by means of a short-term educational programme. Their aim is to help children take control of their learning, become more confident and move on to further education or employment through restoring self confidence, counselling and therapy where appropriate and exploring feelings through arts and performance. 

For more information on the Society's Community work, please click here.